Major fashion brands Peacocks and River Island are to open at Flemingate in Beverley, the centre’s owner, Wykeland Group, announced today.

Adjacent to Debenhams and H&M, Peacocks and River Island have taken 7,100 sq ft and 10,066 sq ft stores respectively. Peacocks will open at the end of June and River Island in mid-August.

Commenting on the new signings, Dominic Gibbons, Managing Director of Hull-based Wykeland Group, said: “Flemingate has gone from strength to strength since opening last year and we are delighted to add these brands, which reflect our strategy of creating an offer that complements and adds to what is already available in Beverley.

“Flemingate has successfully extended Beverley town centre, placing the historic Minster and the train station at the heart of the town. Consequently, Beverley as a whole is now much better able to serve the needs of its large, affluent catchment.”

Charlotte Watkins, Peacocks Marketing Manager, said: “Flemingate’s attractive retail and dining offer, combined with the charm of Beverley as a town, created an extremely desirable location for us to launch a new store.

“It forms part of our ongoing plans to secure promising new sites and we are keen to embed ourselves as part of the Flemingate experience, appealing to local and regional shoppers spending the full day out at this flourishing destination.”

Julian Minshall, Chairman of Beverley and District Chamber of Trade, said: “Attracting big brand names into a market town is always a challenge. The Chamber of Trade is delighted that Flemingate is able to offer these brands an opportunity that otherwise would not have been available in Beverley.

“Attracting these brands to Flemingate will increase awareness of Beverley as a retail destination and increase footfall throughout the town.”

The news follows the recent opening of Baytree Interiors, the independent homewares brand, and Riva Lounge and Café Bar, an independent restaurant and bar. They will be followed shortly by Gourmet Burger Kitchen, with the brand making its Beverley debut later this month.

Brands established at Flemingate include Debenhams, H&M, Wilkinson, Poundland, Trespass, The Entertainer, Greggs, Costa and local independents, Bolo and Guest & Philips. In addition, Flemingate is also home to the six-screen, 1,000-seat Parkway cinema, an 80-room Premier Inn, and a 500-space multi-storey car park, the largest in Beverley. A new campus for East Riding College and 130 homes complete the £ 120 million development – Beverley’s biggest-ever regeneration scheme.